Are you a “good person”? According to Jesus the phrase, “I’m a good person,” is a stealth oxymoron. Jesus said; “No one is good–except God alone.” (Mark 10:18)

In fact, Jesus calls 3 groups of people “evil” or “wicked:” 1) His disciples, 2) a Judean crowd, and 3) a group of Pharisees (who were religious leaders). Check out these three verses in Luke chapter 11:

1) In verse 13 Jesus says to His disciples: “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”
2) In verse 29 Jesus says to a Judean crowd: “This is a wicked generation.”
3) In verse 39 Jesus says to a group of religious conservatives; “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.”
–Why would Jesus tell people we would consider “good people” that they were wicked? Because as long as we think we are good, we have no need of a Savior. It is only when we fully realize that we are evil that we acknowledge our need for someone to save us from our sins. Do you?

So how can we see the wickedness in our own heart? 1) Begin to read the New Testament as a love letter from God. In the light of God’s love your heart will be gradually exposed and you will begin to see how your sin has separated you from Him. 2) Experience the New Testament concept of ekklesia (a gathering of Christ-followers where people are allowed to share from their heart as prompted by the Spirit). “If an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in (to ekklesia) while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!'” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25)

Learn more about ekklesia in my new book Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible–Ekklesia available on Amazon in Kindle or paperback at this link.